returned Robert, who had
been, known to coddle an ailing worm, but at the moment he was just a
little boy with Peter, in very proper high spirits. And while braggingly
he went on talking to his delighted listener, the rest of the party were
silently, but with keen enjoyment, watching the passing country side. It
was a ride to be long remembered; the smooth roads wound alluringly
away, Suzanna wondered, to what beautiful hidden country. The breezes
fanned their cheeks with delicate, fragrant breath; the birds sang
overhead, or flew gaily about, adding harmony and color to the
atmosphere. And yet, to Suzanna's horror the baby, apparently quite
insensible to all the beauty and totally oblivious of the gratitude due
the Eagle Man, soon fell fast asleep, engagingly sucking his fat thumb.

"He's not very old," whispered Suzanna to her host; "and he doesn't know
he must be truly thankful to you."

"Well, let him rest comfortably," said the Eagle Man, and he moved in
such a way that the baby's head rested against his knee.

"There, that's better," he said to Mrs. Procter. "I didn't suppose you
wanted its neck to be broken," he ended gruffly.

"You can't talk that way to mother," said Suzanna, very gently. "She's
not used to it, you see, and she might think you meant it, though I know
you better. Father, when he isn't thinking of his invention, speaks very
kindly and sometimes he says, 'Are you tired, Little Woman?'"

Mrs. Procter attempted to speak, but again the Eagle Man stopped
her--very gently, for him.

"It's all right," he said. "It's rather interesting to find someone, if
only a child, who's not afraid to be absolutely sincere."

They came to a small hill where Robert stopped his horses. The breezes
had gone whispering away and stillness was upon all. Soon the birds
ceased their calls; over in the west the clouds were soft delicate folds
of bronze; and even as one looked they broke into bars of distinct
color, orange, purple, coral. An opal sunset.

"Oh, how beautiful!" cried Mrs. Procter.

"A daily incident," returned the Eagle Man, but he, too, gazed at the
glowing sky.

"And now, I suppose we must return," he said at length, and so Robert
turned his horses upon the homeward journey.

It was nearly dusk when, after leaving Mabel with her mother, the little
cottage came into sight, and then Mrs. Procter said to the Eagle Man:
"This has been one of the happiest days of my life. I thank you for
helping to mak